Hey everyone, I'm looking for some advice from people who’ve successfully navigated a title pivot. My last role was Sales Development Representative – Client Growth & Renewals, but the scope was a bit broader than the typical SDR role. Over ~5 years in SaaS I supported enterprise accounts, partnered closely with AEs and CS teams on pipeline generation, renewals, and expansion opportunities, and managed a book of 100+ accounts that I co-owned (and sometimes ran independently). Right now I’m exploring roles in Customer Success, Account Management, or AE, but running into some title bias given the SDR label. For those who’ve successfully made the jump to a larger title at a new company, what helped open those doors for you? Was it reframing experience, targeting certain types of companies, certifications, networking, etc.? Would love to hear how you approached it.
Why didn't you get promoted? Or what was your promotion results in those 5 years?
did you earn 'Senior sdr' or anything like that/
No formal title change unfortunately, only the scope of my role expanded though. Our team structure stayed pretty flat and then the company went through layoffs before that path opened up.
SDR is a great entry position into a company. The natural career path is AE, SDR Mgr, or CS. Focus on the customer facing aspect. The positioning is you are ready for a promotion or have done the work. A company may require you to perform the similar role for a short period of time, but that would be the entry way to a new company to get the next promotion.
